17 Fun Things I Found to Do While Bedridden

How to Have Fun in Bed

If you are looking for juicy tips on how to improve your performance in bed or have more fun during your sexual encounters... then, you are on the wrong page. You will not learn anything new here to impress your other half. Sorry!

This article is about how to avoid boredom when you are obliged to be in bed because you are ill.

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I Was Bedridden for Several Weeks

Usually, I am quite active, and I prefer to be gallivanting about—going out with friends, seeing new places, going to parties, shopping, swimming, or just cycling in the countryside. However, when I fell suddenly ill, I had to go to the emergency room, where I was advised to undergo surgery as soon as possible. I managed to delay surgery for two weeks since I wanted to be prepared before going into hospital.

As the doctor explained it, it was going to be a small, routine surgery with only a tiny chance of complications, so I packed for a short stay. The day before the surgery, I went to the hospital with a suitcase that my grandmother jokingly said made me look like I was going on a romantic spa trip instead of a surgery.

Two days after the surgery, when I finally woke up from the anesthesia, I realized that things had gone horribly wrong. I had had a major surgery, lost a lot of blood, and almost didn't make it due to a major drop in blood pressure. My short stay suddenly became an extended stay to regain my strength, and even when I was cleared to go back home, I still needed the aid of a nurse.

A month after my surgery, and I was still in bed. I was bored out of my mind, to say the least; perhaps the word that describes it best is frustrating. However, I quickly accepted that I needed to stay in bed to fully recover, and I was able to manage my time quite well. Eventually, I'd say I even enjoyed my time in bed; I was free of most responsibilities, had a lot of time to reflect, and was able to pick up new hobbies. There's always a silver lining!

What to Do When You Are Bedridden

How I Had Fun in Bed

When I first woke up, I couldn’t move at all because I had tubes coming in and out from every which way. Fortunately, I was able to use one hand—enough to hold a book—so for the first week, I just read book after book whenever I was awake.

As I started to gain more ability, I also started to become more interested in looking well, so I started doing my nails and hair while I was in bed. At this time, I did not feel like receiving visits—I had asked the hospital to keep my name anonymous to avoid unexpected visitors. The only people I saw were the hospital staff. I only welcomed visitors when I felt strong enough.

Once I was able to go home, my laptop kept me busy for the remaining weeks. The idea is that now, you have all the time in the world to do whatever interests you.

Here are 17 ideas you can use to pass the time while you stuck in bed:

1. Read

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Reading is one of my favourite pastimes, and having to stay in bed let me read all the books that I always wanted to read but never found the time to. Choose some light reading. Being ill is not the best time to start reading academic books. You will likely fall asleep quite often because of the medicines that you are taking, so it might not be a good idea to read anything complicated. I like Harlequin or Mills & Boons romances. Not only are they an easy read, but they are positive, cheery, and the romantic stories will give you some nice dreams.

2. Do Puzzles

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Once you feel more compos mentis, you can start doing some puzzles like Sudoku, a crossword puzzle that uses numbers instead of letters and really challenges the mind. The rules are simple, but completing the puzzles can be quite complicated. No calculations or advanced math is needed. It's all about logic and critical thinking. You can either do the electronic versions or the more traditional pen and paper versions.

3. Write

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This is the time to write that novel you always dreamt of writing. You can also write letters or cards to friends and relatives. If you do not want to post any letters, just write letters to your parents, children, or spouse, and keep them on your night table. Even if they never read the letters, it can be very therapeutic for you to write things that you find difficult to talk to them about.

4. Use a Laptop

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If you have one, then use it for accessing the internet from your bed. There, you will find endless hours of fun. Discover funny sites, download music and films, watch videos, chat with friends, meet new people—the options are endless. You can even start learning a foreign language, see old TV re-runs, etc.

5. Shop Online

Nowadays, you can buy almost anything online—from clothes to food.

6. Look for Bargains Online

Find the best prices for your next summer holiday, subscribe to travel companies for their best deals, and search and compare holiday resorts and prices.

7. Watch TV/Movies or Play Video Games

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Now is the time to catch up on your favourite shows or to re-watch shows your youth. You can also play some video games.

8. Listen to Music

Take some time to update and organize your Deezer, Spotify, Pandora playlists. Listening to your favorite music can take your mind off of things and allow you to just relax.

9. Knit, Sew, or Do Other Crafts

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Whatever craft takes your fancy, you now have the time to do it. No more excuses for not finishing that scarf for your grandmother or that cardigan for your husband. If you are not very creative, you can try mending your clothes. How long have you been walking around with only one button on your cardigan or with your trousers far too long? There are no more excuses now!

10. Do Your Hair, Makeup, and Nails

Indulge in your favourite beauty treatments. Get (or give) a manicure. Use that face mask you never found the time to use. Try on new nail polish. Try new hairstyles. You can be as creative as you want with your look without having to worry too much about what other people will think.

11. Start a Healthy Diet

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Being bedridden is one of the best times to start and maintain a healthy diet regimen. If you are in bed, you can only eat what you are served, you cannot pop into the kitchen for a sweet snack every time you feel like having one. Plan your meals in advance, and you will be obliged to eat what is in front of you—not more and not less.

12. Spend Time With Your Family/Friends

Talk and play with your friends and relatives. Take advantage of all the time on your hands and get up to date with the latest news from friends and families. Some telephone companies offer free local calls, so why not take advantage? You can also use Facebook, Yahoo, or Skype to talk to friends outside the country for next to nothing.

You won't be too active, but you can still watch films, read stories, and do puzzles with them while you are in bed. Your children will enjoy reading you a bedtime story, and you will be helping their reading skills. You can also play society games with them. I really encouraged my daughter to spend more time with me when I was recovering in bed, and as a result, our relationship improved a lot.

13. Sleep

Catch up on your beauty sleep. Now, you do not need to worry about the clock—rest and sleep as much as you can. Your body needs sleep to recover.

14. Daydream

You don't have to dream only while you're asleep. You can ponder and plan the things you will do once you fully recover. Thinking happy thoughts will help you on your way to recovery. Visualize yourself healthy and happy, and very soon, you will be!

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15. Organize Your Photos and Documents

If you're like me, your emails, photos, and files are all a clutter. Organizing them now can save you time and headaches in the future.

16. Prepare Gifts for Upcoming Birthdays and Holidays

Plan what gifts you can buy for your friends or family. You don't have to go out and get a last-minute gift again!

17. Stretch or Meditate

Exercise doesn't have to be strenuous. Gentle stretches and guided meditations will keep your blood flowing, keeping your muscles strong and flexible and helping you recover. Over time, prolonged bedrest will actually make you weaker. This is why it is so important to exercise gently. Yoga and meditation were my favorite ways to stay healthy. I actually started exercising my stomach muscles using simple breathing exercises.

My Final Piece of Advice

Make your needs known. Don't assume that others will automatically understand what you need. If you want something, ask for it. Your relatives, caretakers, or friends will be happy to help you recover. Understand your limitations and ask for assistance. Being bedridden is not fun, but with a little help, it can be bearable and even an enjoyable experience.

If you have more ideas about things to do to avoid getting bored while staying in bed, please share them in the comments below. I—as well as other readers—will appreciate any ideas to keep boredom away. :-)

Questions & Answers

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subhashlaxmin

8 years agofrom Chhattisgarh India

this is the great advice i wish for your wellness

Maddison81

9 years agofrom California, USA

This is great advice for people recovering from a tonsillectomy, the subject of my hub. I'd love it if you could rate mine. Cheers. Thanks!

AUTHOR

Wendy Iturrizaga

9 years agofrom France

Hi Cindy, thanks. I am almost fully recovered now although i still spend quite a lot of time in bed. I usually over do it on the weekends and end up spending the first part of the week re-recovering.

Cindy Vine

9 years agofrom Cape Town

I had similar problems after my big surgery, I picked up MRSA and then had to spend 2 weeks in an isolation ward as well. All I really managed to do was read and sleep, as being so drugged up, and in so much pain, it was hard to concentrate. Am glad you're in fine form now again. It's amazing how our bodies recover from such trauma!

AUTHOR

Wendy Iturrizaga

9 years agofrom France

NarayanKrishna: thank YOU for following me :)

NarayanKrishna

9 years agofrom The country of Mount Everest

Princessa, I am your fan. Thank you for the interesting hub.

AUTHOR

Wendy Iturrizaga

9 years agofrom France

Thanks for your comments. I am almost fully recovered now, so I am spending less and less time in bed these days :)

retirementhelp

9 years ago

Great article! The teaser headline brought me in, but the content kept me. The words " I'm bored should never pass a person's lips with all of the entertainment available.

Michelle Simtoco

10 years agofrom Cebu, Philippines

Hi Princessa, you made me grin. :-) Hmmm I also see your mind was busy running and working while in bed. LOL Hope you are feeling much better. To a complete recovery.

pariprashneno

10 years agofrom Kolkata, India

My sincere thanks to you, Princessa! I do expect more such works from you. Warm regards.

Bruce Elkin

10 years agofrom Victoria, BC Canada

Always good to have a list like this to look over when you're sick -- and too fatigued to think straight. Great resource. When you get over your surgery, why not do another version of How To Have Fun In Bed. You could create a series. Fun in bed for 2. For 3. For a HubMob. There's no end to the possibilities. Cheers!

Bruce

pylos26

10 years agofrom America

yes Princessa...referring to the title of your hub...you know...men who bite at suggestive titles...or a carrot that is "dangled" in front of them...Elmer Fudd dangled carrots in front of Bugs Bunny to lure him out of his den...again...its good to hear that you're going to be o.k. ...

AUTHOR

Wendy Iturrizaga

10 years agofrom France

pylos26 : carrot dangling? LOL

countrywomen : Thanks for the get well wishes. You too enjoy the holiday season and have fun.

Sybille: Thanks for the link and for the offer to use your images. I'll be emailing you soon.

Beson: My favourite Doc. the one with a special way with healing words :-) thanks for stopping by.

xxx

Benson Yeung

10 years agofrom Hong Kong

Dear Princessa,

I'm glad that you are recovering. Hope you'll soon be hubbing about how to have fun in other places (I don't mean my place, I swear) other than in bed.

Princessa- WOW!! So many things can be done on bed and here I have been wasting just being online with my laptop...hehe. I could use some of your tips even if I am not bed ridden. Hope you get well soon. Advanced Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2009.

Sybille: Thank you very much for the explanation. I didn't know that. I have taken the picture down and I am going straight to the link provided to learn more about the subject. Don't forget to write that "how to..." hub please :)

Sybille Yates

10 years ago

Sorry, royalty free means quite the opposite from "everybody is free to use it" it means you pay one license fee and can use it in as many projects as you want (always depending on the license you purchased). Using the watermarked image would be ok if it was in a "fair use context" for example if you do a review on the reflexstock web site. But free use doesn't apply here, as the image is basically used to embellish/ give value to a commercial web site/ hub/ blog/ page. What you are using is known as a comp image, a watermarked image that designers use to show their clients how the final design might look, and to get their ok to purchase the files/ image licenses they agree on. I have an old web site http://www.freewebs.com/freeimageguide/ here that explain things more in detail. In case you wonder why I know so much about it - google my name ;-) To be on the save site, I would take the image down and replace it with for example an image from morguefile or flickr that is released for commercial use. I don't have something similar in my portfolio, if I had I would help a fellow hubber out ;-) Please feel free to contact me if you have any more questions/ need image help. And yes, I already have the "How to find a good free image" hub planned, I only need time to write it, SY

AUTHOR

Wendy Iturrizaga

10 years agofrom France

compu-smart: thanks, I a m starting to feel better now :)

Sybille Yates: To be honest I am not sure about the copyright for pictures, but the photo is watermarked so everybody can see where it came from; isn't that acknowledging the source? Also the photo was marked as royalty free; doesn’t that mean that anyone is free to use it? Please let me know if I am wrong, as I would not like to be infringing any copyright.

Sybille Yates

10 years ago

Very nice hub, but very upsetting that you used a watermarked comp picture from a stock agency to decorate it. Ever heard about copyright? How would you feel if somebody simply republishes your hub without giving you credit/ paying royalties. This kind of pictures are for sale by the respective artists, not for free use. SY

Tony T

10 years agofrom London UK

Sleep and dream!:D thats just my cup of tea!:D

Glad to hear you are fine now Princessa:)

AUTHOR

Wendy Iturrizaga

10 years agofrom France

Mark: I must say that you looked sexier without the orange hair :-) Maybe when I am back to full "acrobatics" I 'll write another "how to to fun in bed" -for adults only LOL

Mark Knowles

10 years ago

Aw ! Glad you are recovering. although - I am a little disappointed with the content of this hub. Not what I was expecting at all...... :D

AUTHOR

Wendy Iturrizaga

10 years agofrom France

thanks Misha, I am feeling much better now. BTW I really like your new avatar its so cute :-)

Misha

10 years agofrom DC Area

Hope you are better now :)

AUTHOR

Wendy Iturrizaga

10 years agofrom France

jennrose : thanks for stopping to comment. I hope the list helps others who are forced to be in bed. This is my first time in bed for such a long time and it can be very frustrating at times. Specially around holiday times when everybody else is out and about celebrating.

jennrose

10 years agofrom Texas

While it can be hard to have fun when stuck in bed, this list would definitely save a lot of people from boredom. Great suggestions. I like the Amazon items you list, too.

rockinjoe: I could actually think about many other things to do in bed apart from sleep... but just now I am not in very acrobatic shape!

Cris: I am sure you have a whole list of things to do... x rated though!

kingkitchen: thanks, I hope I am ready for the new year's parties!

kingkitchen

10 years ago

Hope your up and about soon, good tips for beating the boredom

Cris A

10 years agofrom Manila, Philippines

and...? you disappoint me rockinjoe! LOL

Joseph Addams

10 years agofrom Standing right behind you!

thanks for showing me that there's more to do in bed than just sleep....

SweetiePie

10 years agofrom Southern California, USA

Very clever hub. At first I thought it was about something else, but then I came to it and realized it was not what I thought. I am glad you are doing better now.

Cindy Lawson

10 years agofrom Guernsey (Channel Islands)

Get well soon Princessa, and keep the great hubs coming :)

AUTHOR

Wendy Iturrizaga

10 years agofrom France

Thanks for your comments and get well wishes, they are very much appreciated :-)

Sondra

10 years agofrom Neverland

I hope you are feeling better soon. Fortunately for us, you have more time to write your great hubs! :) I cant offer any help for boredom, you've hit all my ideas already.

Tony McGregor

10 years agofrom South Africa

GEt well soon! Thanks for the tips - I just hope never to have to use them myself!

Love and peace

Tony

Dottie1

10 years agofrom MA, USA

Who could possibly top the list of the girl who knows how to have fun! I think you've pretty much covered it, Princessa. Stay warm and continue having fun and you will soon be up and on the run!

Cris A

10 years agofrom Manila, Philippines

i initially though this was one of those double entendred hubs, seeing goldentoad heading this way fast! LOL i've no suggestions, sorry, but you've pretty much enumerated everything one can possibly do when bedridden. I do hope recovery is underway. Keep safe and warm always :D

goldentoad

10 years agofrom Free and running....

I hope you get better soon. I'm fairly certain it would all be about books and writing for me. But take care and I wish you speedy recovery.

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